Head hunger and Snacking - HELP!!

I have struggled with not losing weight or very little since I was 3 months out of surgery.  Now that I'm 7.5 months out, I'm starting to struggle with head hunger.  I do not feel any sense of hunger or fullness, so I know that head hunger is causing the problem.  Now I've started snacking...albeit on high protein snacks (protein bars, protein snacks).  I know that I have to kick this, but struggling with it.  The weight is up and down, always within a couple of pound range during this plateau (going on 6 weeks).

To make things tougher too, I have discovered that I can take in 20+ grams of sugar and not dump, not exactly helping the issue.

I removed the snacks from my desk, and only bring a few things everyday, but I still crave that food.  I was always a boredom eater, so this is where my problem lies.  I have kicked up the exercise routine, but I still want to stop the snacking.

Despite my NUT telling me that sugar free gum is bad because of the gas it can cause and the risk of swallowing it, I decided that maybe giving my jaw something to do will stop the cravings.

Does anyone else have suggestions?  I always have drinks at my side, and I get in 90-120 ounces daily, so it's not that I'm thirsty.

I'm on two new meds now, a beta blocker to prevent migraines (which my Mom takes for her heart), and a cholesterol med (which my Mom also takes).  I only mention my Mom because she was told the reason she couldn't lose weight was her meds.  I am worried that now I will have an even harder time to lose weight, and I was a slow loser to start with.

Although I'm happy where I'm at right now, how could I not being down over 110 pounds, I still want to lose another 40-50 pounds.  Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

That's really a tough one, Nicole.  One reason we all are here is because we're all very good at head hunger.  I'm afraid I'm not a great source of suggestions, b/c I struggle with it, too.  I do use knitting at night to keep my hands busy--would some form of hobby help?  With knitting, I don't want to snack because i might get my yarn greasy or something, so that helps. 

I do use s/f gum all the time, and I never have a gas problem with it.  It does help keep your jaw busy.

The meds are a tough one, too, but I'm no expert on that.

Hang in there--you have done fabulously well, and you will continue to do so. 

Nicole,

Just so you know, Your not alone.....So many of us are struggling with this....This head hunger sucks.....Sounds like your getting in your water, Do you get in enough protein at each meal? They say about 20g. per meal....

I buy Famous Daves Jerky, it's a good amount of protein, and fills me up and or takes care of the head hunger thing....I chew SF gum ALL the time when I'm not home.....

Head hunger is the toughest thing......I've learned myself recently that it all comes down to mindfullness and willpower......I think we get too comfortable with our body's and tell ourselves, "Oh I can have one bite of this.....And then it turns into 2 bites, and so on."

Good luck....My real only advice is willpower......:)   Kelly

Kelly,

If anything, I probably get in too much protein.  I have a protein bar for breakfast - 9 g. 

Around 10am I normally have a protein bar/protein snack, or if I'm really bad, both - that's 15g for the bar, 10g for the snack, and 25 g if both. 

For lunch I normally have 3-4 ounces of meat or fish, and a veggie - usually steamed sweet potato - around 20-30 g of protein. 

For snack again - the protein bar/snack. 

Dinner is normally meat/chicken/fish for another 30 g of fiber.  

In the evening, I have either a protein bar or some cashews - 6-15grams of protein.

My clinic requests 70 grams of protein, and I average 95 grams or more of protein.

As you can well imagine, I am taking in way more calories then I should as well, but in my brain my snacks are low calorie for the amount of protein. 

This goes back to when I had my first ulcer, and the clinic had me eating high protein foods like nuts and protein bars every hour or so.  Now I have to break that habit.  I can't drink protein shakes, so those are out as an option, and I just have to tell myself that one small snack is enough.

I do have to eat every couple of hours or I get extremely nauseous and light headed - the beta blockers don't help since my blood pressure is so low now.

I agree with you, it's about willpower, which is something I've always struggled with.  I think for now I will start only bringing 2 snacks a day, that way I can't eat anything else.

        Similar problems here, except I am at home all day around a fridge and freezer full of stuff. I am amazed at myself because I KNOW better, but that head hunger is a real pest. One of the issues we face is that some of the pouch friendly foods are high calorie too (like nuts, cheese and peanut butter.)

       We knew going into this that we still had a life long issue with food, and almost all of us have a tougher fight the lower in weight we go. Bit I am going to stay the course. I had a real wake up call the other day. I went out to supper with friends and there was a person I hadn't met before. He was 300 pounds or so. He stated he had the same operation that I had. Scared me to death to see his cavalier attitude towards the meal. I never want to go back to the old life. If it takes me two more years....I will persevere. 

       I found a pair of my wife's uncles pants. He looks like a frail 80 year old. I am aiming for a new goal, Uncle Walter always thought I was fat. I want to show him I fit in his pants, so that means I better hurry.

       Nicole, you have faced more battles than most, but face them you have and we are proud/happy for your accomplishments and perseverance. You stay the course. Victory won't come easy for you, but reaching goal will be VERY satisfying.